+267 votes
in Electromagnetic Radiation by
edited by

Your answer

Your name to display (optional):
Privacy: Your email address will only be used for sending these notifications.
+264 votes
by

No, higher energy/intensity electromagnetic waves do not lower the frequency of lower energy/intensity electromagnetic waves. The frequency of an electromagnetic wave is determined by its source and does not change as it interacts with other waves.

However, there are several ways in which electromagnetic waves can interact with each other, and these interactions can result in various phenomena. Here are a few examples:

  1. Superposition: When two or more electromagnetic waves of different frequencies meet, they can combine through a process called superposition. This results in the formation of a new wave, which may exhibit interference patterns or other characteristics depending on the phase relationship between the waves.

  2. Modulation: It is possible to modulate the amplitude, phase, or frequency of a carrier wave using another lower frequency wave. This process is commonly used in communication systems to transmit information.

  3. Nonlinear effects: In certain materials or media, the response of electromagnetic waves may be nonlinear. This can lead to phenomena such as frequency mixing, where two or more waves interact to produce new waves at different frequencies.

It's important to note that while higher energy electromagnetic waves can have more intense effects on matter or interact differently with certain materials, they do not directly lower the frequency of lower energy waves. The frequency of an electromagnetic wave is a fundamental property that remains constant unless influenced by external factors.

Welcome to Physicsgurus Q&A, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of the community.
...